spot of a red, or bluish colour; this spot which is formed by the blood infiltrated into the cellular tissue, soon assumes a deep livid, or leaden hue; it then after a few days becomes, successively, violet, yellowish, and terminates by a pale citron colour. It is generally seven or eight days before it disappears. These characters will always enable the anatomist to distinguish contusions made during life, from those occurring after death.
The state of the cervical vertebræ should also be carefully examined, for the death of the infant may have been occasioned by a fatal luxation, produced perhaps by some sudden contortion of the neck. Any marks of pressure, or violence about this part should therefore be carefully noted; and it will be obviously more convenient to examine the spine, before the large cavities of the bodies are exposed; and which may be accomplished in the following manner. After dissecting the soft parts from the vertebræ, the dorsal parts may be readily removed by scissars, while the apophyses of the true vertebræ can be very easily cut through. The practitioner will thus be enabled to estimate the nature and extent of any wound, or laceration, or effusion of blood, that may be discovered in connection with the spinal marrow. The appearance and condition of the umbilical cord should also be examined before any of the great cavities are laid open; for it is obvious where a ligature has not been properly applied to it, death may have arisen as the result of hemorrhage from this part. Other reasons also exist which render such an inspection of the greatest importance.
